SIMON LEWIS EXPOSES HIMSELF TO CHILDREN IN BURNHAM: SHOCKING ONLINE INCIDENTS REVEALED

A former gymnastics coach from Burnham, Simon Lewis, has been involved in a disturbing case where he repeatedly exposed himself to two young girls via webcam. The incident, which took place over the internet, has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about online safety and the exploitation of minors.

Simon Lewis, who resides on Spaxton Close in Burnham, was found to have befriended two girls aged 11 and 14 through an internet messaging service. The court proceedings revealed that Lewis had initially engaged the girls in casual conversations about everyday topics such as schoolwork and homework, using the MSN Messenger platform. These initial exchanges appeared innocent, but the situation took a darker turn as Lewis's behavior became increasingly inappropriate.

According to court reports, Lewis eventually exposed himself to both girls via his webcam. The younger girl, who was only 11 at the time, was fortunate not to witness the exposure, as she was spared the ordeal. However, the older girl, aged 14, did see Lewis expose himself on several occasions on her computer screen. This pattern of behavior continued until Lewis's arrest in February, which brought an end to his online misconduct.

During the hearing at Taunton Crown Court, Judge Graham Hume Jones described Lewis's actions as both “very unpleasant” and “upsetting” for the victims. The court was told that Lewis, aged 48, had previously worked as a coach for girls aged between five and 16. However, the club he was associated with confirmed that he had left his coaching position more than a year prior to these incidents.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Hume Jones acknowledged Lewis's previous good character but emphasized the severity of his online misconduct. The judge pointed out that Lewis had not physically exposed himself to the victims, which was considered a mitigating factor. Nevertheless, he expressed concern over Lewis's “considerable problem” and the potential risks posed by his actions.

As part of his sentence, Lewis was handed a three-year community order. He was also prohibited from working with children in the future, ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for five years, and mandated to attend a 60-day sex offenders' rehabilitation program. These measures aim to prevent any further harm and to monitor Lewis's conduct moving forward, reflecting the seriousness with which the court viewed this case.